Rate my startup: SafeboxApp.com

#1

Post by denishennessy » Fri, Sep 09, 2011, 4:17 PM UTC

While the level of security on Dropbox and other cloud storage services are fine for most things, I wanted a way to store some files there that _only_ I could access. I could switch to a provider that had stronger privacy features but I really love Dropbox's convenience and simplicity. So, I built a solution:

http://safeboxapp.com

The app takes files it finds in ~/Safebox and encrypts them using AES-256 and stores the files in a subfolder of ~/Dropbox. When it sees new encrypted files in that folder, it decrypts them back to ~/Safebox. From then on, changes in either folder are automatically synchronized. The filenames and folder names are encrypted as well.

From a user perspective, you simply use ~/Safebox instead of ~/Dropbox for files requiring extra security.

It's packaged as a Mac OS/X app (and soon as a Windows app). We haven't decided pricing yet.

I'd love to hear your thoughts!!

Thanks, Denis

http://safeboxapp.com

Re: Rate my startup: SafeboxApp.com

#2

Post by pcharles » Fri, Sep 09, 2011, 4:45 PM UTC

Great idea. Especially with the 'issues' of security with Dropbox released within the last few months.

Re: Rate my startup: SafeboxApp.com

#3

Post by hechtic » Fri, Sep 09, 2011, 4:46 PM UTC

I like it, might use it.

From a pricing perspective, I think your market might be limited in that companies needing security would probably purchase a separate solution and not use Dropbox.

But you might be able to get a revenue stream from prosumers / tech consumers. And your costs wouldn't be high since you ride on top of the dropbox service. And I could be wrong about the market of course. ;-)

Re: Rate my startup: SafeboxApp.com

#4

Post by grzaks » Fri, Sep 09, 2011, 4:56 PM UTC

The problem is real, you are not the only person on the Earth that needs a solution, but ...

Aren't you worried that it takes few weeks(days?) of coding for dropbox team and one update for your solution to become obsolete?

Re: Rate my startup: SafeboxApp.com

#5

Post by denishennessy » Fri, Sep 09, 2011, 6:15 PM UTC

grzaks wrote: post #4

The problem is real, you are not the only person on the Earth that needs a solution, but ... Aren't you worried that it takes few weeks(days?) of coding for dropbox team and one update for your solution to become obsolete?

I agree that it's a risk, but they haven't done it so far. Even if they did, Safebox might still be useful for people using other cloud storage providers (or even corporate file shares).

Re: Rate my startup: SafeboxApp.com

#6

Post by grzaks » Fri, Sep 09, 2011, 8:47 PM UTC

denishennessy wrote: post #5

grzaks wrote: post #4

The problem is real, you are not the only person on the Earth that needs a solution, but ... Aren't you worried that it takes few weeks(days?) of coding for dropbox team and one update for your solution to become obsolete?

I agree that it's a risk, but they haven't done it so far. Even if they did, Safebox might still be useful for people using other cloud storage providers (or even corporate file shares).

Well, if you did not quit your job to do this project and did not spend all your savings on it - the risk might be worth it. Good luck! :)

Re: Rate my startup: SafeboxApp.com

#7

Post by PaulWebster » Sat, Sep 10, 2011, 8:06 AM UTC

Here are some other approaches to same basic issue http://wiki.dropbox.com/TipsAndTricks/IncreasePrivacyAndSafe...

Re: Rate my startup: SafeboxApp.com

#8

Post by tobylane » Sat, Sep 10, 2011, 5:43 PM UTC

denishennessy wrote: post #5

grzaks wrote: post #4

The problem is real, you are not the only person on the Earth that needs a solution, but ... Aren't you worried that it takes few weeks(days?) of coding for dropbox team and one update for your solution to become obsolete?

I agree that it's a risk, but they haven't done it so far. Even if they did, Safebox might still be useful for people using other cloud storage providers (or even corporate file shares).

Is it possible for Dropbox to update in any way that could let them read it? I'm not sure what you're worried about.

Re: Rate my startup: SafeboxApp.com

#9

Post by grzaks » Mon, Sep 12, 2011, 9:21 AM UTC

tobylane wrote: post #8

denishennessy wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree that it's a risk, but they haven't done it so far. Even if they did, Safebox might still be useful for people using other cloud storage providers (or even corporate file shares).

Is it possible for Dropbox to update in any way that could let them read it? I'm not sure what you're worried about.

The answer to your question is: no, it's not possible. I was rather thinking about dropbox implementing the same feature directly to dropbox. If they do, there would be no point in using denishennessy's product.

Re: Rate my startup: SafeboxApp.com

#10

Post by gzapico » Mon, Sep 19, 2011, 6:51 PM UTC

The concept seems quite interesting and useful. The real problem, as others stated, is that maybe Dropbox will implement something like that quite soon. As for pricing I think you should charge less than the same amount of space is charges at Dropbox.

Anyway, congrats for your great project. And sorry for my english.